People’s lives are heavily influenced by their cultural heritage. It has an impact on their worldview, their beliefs, their sense of humor, their hopes, their loyalties, as well as their worries and anxieties. In order to effectively interact with individuals and establish connections with them, it is beneficial to have a perspective on and knowledge of their cultural backgrounds.
However, as we learn more about one another’s cultures, it is vital to recognize how much we have in common. People have extremely diverse perspectives on the world, but they all understand what it’s like to wake up in the morning and look forward to the experiences that await them throughout the day. We are all created in the image of God. We all have strong feelings of love, a desire to learn, aspirations and dreams, as well as memories of sorrow and terror.
At the same time, we cannot pretend that our cultural and racial distinctions are insignificant. The fact is that we can’t brush over and pretend that distinctions don’t exist, wishing we were all the same, and we can’t pretend that prejudice doesn’t exist, either.
Learn practical information about how to understand culture, establish relationships with people from cultures other than your own, act as an ally against racism and other forms of discrimination, create organizations in which diverse groups can collaborate, overcome internalized oppression, and create strong and diverse communities in this chapter.
But, first and foremost, it is critical to remember that everyone has an essential point of view and a significant part to play when it comes to culture. It is not necessary to be an expert in order to develop relationships with people who are different from yourself; it is not necessary to have a degree in order to learn to be sensitive to cultural issues; and it is not necessary to be a social worker in order to understand how culture has influenced your life.
People’s lives are heavily influenced by their cultural heritage. It has an impact on their worldview, their beliefs, their sense of humor, their hopes, their loyalties, as well as their worries and anxieties. In order to effectively interact with individuals and establish connections with them, it is beneficial to have a perspective on and knowledge of their cultural backgrounds.
However, as we learn more about one another’s cultures, it is vital to recognize how much we have in common. People have extremely diverse perspectives on the world, but they all understand what it’s like to wake up in the morning and look forward to the experiences that await them throughout the day. We are all created in the image of God. We all have strong feelings of love, a desire to learn, aspirations and dreams, as well as memories of sorrow and terror.
At the same time, we cannot pretend that our cultural and racial distinctions are insignificant. The fact is that we can’t brush over and pretend that distinctions don’t exist, wishing we were all the same, and we can’t pretend that prejudice doesn’t exist, either.
Learn practical information about how to understand culture, establish relationships with people from cultures other than your own, act as an ally against racism and other forms of discrimination, create organizations in which diverse groups can collaborate, overcome internalized oppression, and create strong and diverse communities in this chapter.